Epsilon Toxin of Clostridium perfringens B and D.ppt

Center for Food Security and Public Health Iowa State University - 2004 Epsilon Toxin of Clostridium perfringens B and D Overview Organism History Epidemiology Transmission Disease in Humans Disease in Animals Prevention and Control Agent The Agent Clostridium perfringens Gram-positive bacteria Anaerobic rod Found in soil, decaying matter and intestinal tract of mammals 5 types (A-E) Types B and D produce the epsilon toxin Epsilon Toxin Produced as an inactive protoxin Activated by trypsin Removes a 13-residue N-terminal peptide Increases intestinal permeability Increases vascular permeability Vascular damage and edema in brain, heart, lung and kidneys History History Iraq produced 90 gallons of C. perfringens 1945: Japan Used shrapnel bomb containing C. perfringens on ten Chinese victims Slow death from gas gangrene due to infection from bacteria Transmission Transmission: Humans Ingestion of C. perfringens A Foodborne illness Improperly prepared and handled foods Aerosolization of C. perfringens A Expected to cause high morbidity and mortality Consequences of aerosolizing epsilon toxin not known at this time Transmission: Animals Normal intestinal inhabitant Fecal-oral transmission Ingestion of large quantity Contaminated soil, water, feed Proliferation often caused by disruption of normal intestinal bacteria Disease in Humans Clostridium perfringens A Incubation 8-22 hours Intense abdominal pain Diarrhea Dehydration common side effect Most symptoms end by 24 hours Very young and very old most severely affected Diagnosis and Treatment Diagnosis Specific immunoassays available Diagnosis of human disease unproven No treatment for epsilon toxin Penicillin used to treat C. perfringens Clindamycin and rifampin May suppress epsilon toxin production Supportive Fluid replacement Monitor electrolytes Animals and Epsilon Toxin Animals and Epsilon Toxin Rapidly fatal enterotoxemia Produces edema Edema in brain Can i